Staff Accountant

Homeless Action Center (HAC) is a community-based legal services program founded in 1990 to provide legal services to homeless people in Alameda County. Over time, HAC’s specialty became public benefits advocacy, with a focus on Social Security disability benefits. The process of qualifying for disability benefits can be lengthy and difficult. Employing a client-centered focus and harm reduction principles, Staff Attorneys work closely with other legal services programs and social services programs to assist clients in meeting their emergency and longer-term needs during this process. HAC represents over 2,000 clients at a time. Please refer to www.homelessactioncenter.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Staff Accountant is an experienced generalist in non-profit accounting/bookkeeping and administrative assistance.

To succeed in this role, the Staff Accountant will be a self-starter who thrives at multi-tasking and managing multiple streams of work independently as well as in collaboration with the team. Is quick learner who is tech savvy, process oriented, and highly organized and meticulous; someone who has integrity and understands the importance of confidentiality as it pertains to finance and HR. Attention to detail and a love of numbers is key across all tasks.

This is a full-time exempt position with 35-hour workweeks, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and a one hour unpaid lunch each day. This position has a hybrid schedule of 3 days on site in our Berkeley Office. The Staff Accountant is an integral part of the Finance Department and will help implement our day-to-day financial process. The Staff Accountant will report directly to the CFO.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties and responsibilities for the Staff Accountant position include, but not limited to:

Accounts Payable:

·      Maintain vendor files and payables documentation files;

·      Work with staff to obtain supporting documentation for all expenditures;

·      Enter and processes EFTs and credit card charges;

·      Assist with staff reimbursements;

·      Serve as a liaison for our Client Needs Flex account;

·      Maintain bill tracking and vendor information.

Accounts Receivable:

·      Process incoming checks and payments;

·      Enter, track and process district court fees;

·      Draft invoices;

·      Code source documents;

·      Enter data into the computerized accounting system on time and accurately.

General:

·      Maintain accurate and complete files relating to the HAC’s finances, including records of cash disbursements, cash receipts, invoices, returned checks, and other financial records as required.

·      Assist with month-end closing, reconciliations, and all other monthly requirements of financial reporting and records management. 

·      Upload HR data and work with the HR department on any discrepancies.

·      Assist the finance department with annual audits and contract compliance.

Other Functions: 

·      This involves all manner of administrative assistance, including:

o  Opening and distributing mail;

o  Scanning, and filing documents;

o  Updating, and maintaining filing systems,

o  Ordering office supplies;

o  Data entry;

o  Migrating data from one platform to another;

o  Maintaining all insurance policies and renewals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·      A minimum of 1 years’ experience in finance, non-profit accounting experience preferred;

·      Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for non-profits and of non-profit tax accounting and compliance;

• Ability to track detailed and specific information and maintain record keeping systems accurately and within specified timelines;
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal);
• Internal and external customer facing experience;
• Ability to manage and respond to complex timelines and tasks;
• Knowledge of general office software programs and financial databases, preferably expertise in QuickBooks and Microsoft Suite (especially Excel);
• Good analytic skills including creative approaches to problem solving;
• Ability to work independently and to work effectively as part of a team;
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent: bending, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, and walking.

• Intermittent lifting, pushing, and pulling. Frequent repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and extensive reading.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Contact with clients who may have behavioral and psychiatric problems including shouting, use of profanity and inappropriate behavioral choices.

• Supervision: assigned duties according to specified procedures and receives detailed instructions. Work is reviewed frequently. The employee performs a variety of routine work within established policies and procedures, and receives instructions on assignments, new policies, or projects.

• Our offices have open spaces, and thus can be loud and chaotic. While we are a working law office, the layout, as well as the nature of our work, can mean that it is louder than a “typical” office space.

• We have animals – cats and dogs – in our offices.

• Occasional need to interact with clients that may be expressing anger both appropriately and inappropriately.

• The worker is occasionally exposed to perfume or scents in personal care products used by employees, clients, and visitors.

• The worker is occasionally exposed to cleaning products.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

·      The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000 depending on experience.

·      Employer paid insurance: health, vision, and dental, as well as $150,000 basic term life insurance policy, long-term disability insurance and employee assistance program. Coverage 100% employer paid for employee only; employee may purchase coverage for spouse and/or dependents through HAC. Additional optional life insurance, short-term disability, accident and critical illness plans available.

·      Subsidy for Commuter Check program. 

·      Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) in the amount of $200 subsidy per month for all staff who have student loans, regardless of salary or loan amount.

·      403(b) account available with employer contribution of up to 4% of annual salary. 

·      Generous vacation, holiday and sick time.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and list of three references IN ONE PDF DOCUMENT to recruitment@homelessactioncenter.org. 

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

HAC is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal domicile status, veteran status, disability or AIDS/HIV status or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.